A collection of wealth improvement articles

With a sigh you are relieved that yet another tax return has been sent off to the government. Another 12 months before you need to do this again. But before you close that tax file, there is still some work to do. If the IRS or state revenue department selects your return for review, you will need to be prepared. Here is what you need to know:

Record Keeping Tips

As long as they are needed. The IRS says you should retain documentation for as long as they are needed to support your tax return. Normally tax records should be kept for three years from the later of the tax filing due date, the date you filed your taxes, or the date you paid your tax in full. But be careful, others may want it for a longer period of time.

Some documents should be saved indefinitely. This includes things like:

Your tax return

Records related to a home purchase or sale

Stock transactions

Business/Rental records

The IRS does not require any special record keeping system. You just need to keep all documents that can support information on your tax return.

Here are common records worth retaining:

Canceled checks

Invoices

Other proof of payment for claimed deductions

Bank and credit card statements

Mileage logs

Receipts with time; place; and purpose noted

Be mindful of other record retention requirements

State record retention requirements are often 6 months to 1 year longer than Federal requirements

Social Security records often need to be proofed to ensure they match your pay stubs

Insurance, banking, and estate management may require other records

Federal retention requirements become 6 years if your return understates your tax obligation by more than 25%, and the record retention period is indefinite if fraud is involved.

Keep a good system

So the build up of paperwork does not overwhelm your attic, at the end of the tax year rotate your records. Decide how many years of records must be retained. Then count back from your current tax return filing year and shred unneeded, older documentation. Create new empty files for the current tax year to save receipts for the coming year. Consider scanning records to keep digital copies. A final word of caution. If you are unsure whether to retain or shred, keep it unless you know the document can be replaced.